Andover New Street v Andover Town - E Programme 2022-23

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CLUB OFFICIALS

President: Nick Richmond

Vice President: Brian Funnel

Chairman: Martin Tobin

Football Chairman: John Ward

Executive Committee Members: Paul Reidy, Steve Cox, Fiona Tobin, Ady Burdock, Kevin Pipkin, Amanda Cox, Les Hillon, George Harrison, Andy Welfare

First Team Manager: Jamie Coleman

First Team Assistant Manager: Ashleigh James

First Team Coach: Jamie Dockree

Head Of Goalkeeping: Alex Thompson

Head Of Medical: Pete Tunney Physiotherapist: Josh Oatly

Kit Man: Ken Hardy

Club Secretary: Kerry Tobin

House Chairman: Jim Wilson

Treasurer: Amanda Cox

Membership Officer: Kerry Tobin

Swifts Chairman: Paul Reidy

Swifts Secretary: Stephen Leighton

Swifts Manager: Robbie Skeates

Swifts Assistant Managers: Stephen Leighton & Ryan Facey

Ladies Manager: Kyla Tobin

Sponsorship Chairman: Paul Reidy

Media Manager: Kevin Pipkin

Website Designer: Chris Robins

Thanks

John Ward, Jamie Coleman, John Gorman, Neil Jensen and Sam Emery.

THE MANAGER

Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Foxcotte Park to all our supporters for today’s game against our visitor’s Newport IOW.

I’d like to welcome the Port’s management team, their staff, players and all officials and supporters who have made the long journey to Andover this afternoon.

Newport have been a consistent side over the past couple of seasons and like us, suffered at the hands of Laverstock & Ford in the Play-Offs last season.

Today’s game comes at the business end of the season and with promotion still up for grabs.

The Port’s recent impressive form has seen them beat Amesbury, Fleet Spurs and Andover Town comfortably. They have however, lost at both Petersfield and Hamworthy Rec. They will also look back on the recent draw to East Cowes if they fail to get automatic promotion this season.

We come into the game knowing that promotion is very much in our hands, but we still have to earn those three points to make it certain of the title.

We are taking each game as it comes. We have Totton & Eling and East Cowes still to play after today and both will put up a good fight against us.

It took me a few hours to get over last Saturday’s game. I’ve never been involved in a match like that before.

At half-time I asked the players what they had left in themselves and the second half they showed me how much they want promotion.

I’m not being biased when I say my team were magnificent, and so were you in the stands. We showed great character to change the tide of the game, which at that point was very much against us.

In the second half, we showed the attacking prowess we have as we grew stronger and just when it looked as though we would lose 4-3, Cooky scored twice to make certain of the points.

It’s been a long tough season, but let’s have one big final push as we aim for our season’s objective.

Enjoy the game.

IN THE SECOND HALF, WE SHOWED THE ATTACKING PROWESS WE HAVE AS WE GREW STRONGER AND JUST WHEN IT LOOKED AS THOUGH WE WOULD LOSE 43, COOKY SCORED TWICE TO MAKE CERTAIN OF THE POINTS.

FACT FILE

NICKNAME: The Port

STADIUM: Smallbrook Stadium

CAPACITY: 3,000

LEAGUE POSITION 21-22: 3rd in League One, play-off Runner-up

MANAGER: Steve Brougham

MILES FROM ANDOVER: 48 miles

LAST MEETING: Smallbrook Stadium, 25/02/23, 0-4 in League One

TOWN

BY Kevin Pipkin

Today, our opposition is Newport IOW FC. Founded in 1888, they are currently seven points behind Street and need to take maximum points from their remaining three matches if they are to try and pip Street to the title and the only automatic promotion spot. Street, however, only need to obtain another win from their remaining matches against Totton & Eling, East Cowes Vic’s or even a draw this afternoon to be champions!

The Port have been having a fantastic season, despite losing to Petersfield Town in both the Hampshire Senior Cup and Wessex League Cup in August. They then went on a ten-league game winning run through September to the middle of November, where they lost their unbeaten home record to Petersfield Town, thanks to goals from Archie Greenough and Connor Hoare. Connor Kelly replied for the Port.

A disappointing 0-0 draw at lowly Amesbury Town did not ease matters and another 0-0 at home to Hamworthy Rec quickly followed. Another winning run of six matches seemed to get the Port back in the promotion mix, but a 1-0 home defeat to New Milton and a 4-1 defeat at Hamworthy Rec, followed by a couple of 1-1 draws with Totton & Eling and Millbrook have hindered the charge.

The Street endured a 4-0 defeat to the Port at the Smallbrook Stadium in late February, with Connor Kelly, Liam Triggs, Ryan Hughes and Joe Hancott all on target for the Islanders.

Today’s match promises to be an entertaining game with both sides looking for a result that will mean promotion to the Wessex Premier.

LAST TIME AT

THE FOXCOTTE

STREET 1 PORT 3

Newport came to New Street for the first time and took all three points, thanks to a strong first half performance. In doing so they took away Street’s unbeaten home record and gained three precious points in the promotion race.

The visitors made much the better start and after Jordi Wilson had dealt well with a corner, they took the lead after just four minutes with a simple but well taken goal. The ball was played down the inside left channel, the defence were caught square, and Connor Kelly confidently slotted the ball past the advancing Wilson.

Almost immediately there was the chance of a similar goal as Kelly broke clear again before he was half stopped by a combination of Wilson and Adam Pearson and then hooked the ball against the post as he fell. Wilson saved another Craig effort at full stretch before the scores were levelled midway through the half when a trademark Rusher cross was turned over the line at the far post by a defender under pressure from Ross Cook.

Andover New Street::

Wilson, Rogers, Wright, Hibberd, Pearson,,, Allen, Lock, Field, Rusher, Davis, Cookk

Newport IOW::

Streeter, Hughes, Lamb, Hancott, McDonough,,, Triggs, Kelly, Younie, Browne, Craig, Butcherk

A Cook header from a Rusher corner hit the side netting before, with ten minutes to go to the break, another simple goal put the visitors back in front. This time, Kelly, who had been the bane of the Street defence in the earlier meeting at Smallbrook, turned provider, pulling the ball back from the by line for Craig to roll the ball into the open net from the edge of the six-yard box. This alone would have given the visitors an advantage going in to the second half but a third goal just before the break put them well in command. Streeter tipped a drive from Rusher over the bar, the corner was cleared, and Craig somehow kept the ball in play on the left before making ground and crossing to give Josh Younie a simple finish.

Newport started the second half as they finished the first with Wilson tipping a free kick over the bar and the resulting corner being cleared with some difficulty before the home side began to enjoy more possession with the wind behind them. Street made the most of a free kick, awarded near the edge of the box, as Pearson headed the ball down for Shane Lock to scramble it over the line with the half almost exactly at its midway point. Street’s cause was not helped by Cook being sent to the sin bin with some ten minutes remaining and the visitors showed their experience in the way they saw the game out.

THE GOALKEEPER: LEON PITMAN

Came through Pompey Academy, eventually on the bench for their first team. Released from Pompey 2021-22, where he played for Portchester and Horndean in the Wessex Premier.

Focused and agile and an asset to the club, where at just 20 years of age he joined the Port as first team keeper at the start of the 2022-23 season.

THE DEFENDER: SCOTT SAMPSON

One of the best defenders in the Wessex Leaguegreat strength and stamina. Good in the air and often seen up front for set- pieces.

Sampson has won the Wessex Premier Division with Blackfield & Langley and a firm Port favourite. NatWest Island Games winner.

THE MANAGER: STEVE BROUGHAM

When Brougham eventually hung up his boots, aged 40, he took on his first coaching role, at Newport, under John Linington, in the Southern League. He then went on to become assistant manager, reaching the semi-final of the Hampshire Senior Cup.

Brading Town came knocking and he joined Phil Moore’s management team — eventually taking charge of the Wessex Premier side, his first job as manager. Then went to manage East Cowes Vics and now returned back at the Port as Manager.

THE MIDFIELDER: LIAM TRIGGS

Former Portsmouth FC Apprentice, Triggs signed professional forms but was then released.

He has played for the Port for many seasons as well as a short spell at Blackfield & Langley. Cultured leftsided player and can play all positions comfortably.

WATCH OUT FOR… CONNOR KELLY

Having joined Port as a young boy, Kelly worked his way through the youth ranks and into the first team, finishing top scorer in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.

He then moved to then Wessex Premier side Sholing, however after a few games into the season Kelly decided to return to Newport putting himself on the score sheet straight away on his return A quick and talented forward, Kelly was inspirational last season and was one of the key performers as the Port finished 3rd in the division and lost to Laverstock in the Play-Off Final.

THE STRIKER: JORDAN BROWNE

Experienced striker back at the club for a second spell after a season at East Cowes Vics where he played more of a midfield role.

Browne has played for Cowes Sports previously after coming through Newport Youth teams. Regular goal scorer and a cool finisher in the box both with his feet and head.

MEMORY MATCH

NEWPORT IOW 0

ANDOVER NEW STREET 2

WORDS: JOHN GORMAN

STREET:

O’Brien, Field, Le Brun (Rogers C), Curtis, Scott, Dockree, Lock, Kinge, McCracken, Connor Thorne, Yates

NEWPORT IOW:

Streeter, Butcher, Hughes, Lamb, McDonough, Reynolds, Kelly, Taylor, Browne, Craig, Barron

The “promotion” word looked very much on the cards for Street, especially when they embarked on a 12-match winning run, starting with a 3-2 victory against Newport, that put them into second place behind leaders United Services Portsmouth but with a number of games in hand.

Unfortunately, the 2019-20 season would be abandoned in mid-March with around 10 matches remaining, due to the global pandemic.

Lockdown gradually ended and the Street would be able to start to prepare for the new season, which would start a month later in September.

A new looking management setup was introduced with Jamie Coleman and Danny Dolan joining forces in the dugout, while John Smith and Iain Meechan, would have the opportunity to help all the club’s sides in their new Director of Football roles.

Pre-season would see the majority of the squad remain and were boosted with impressive signings of striker Brett Denham,

The Street were poised for an instant return to the Wessex Premier following their one season stay in the Wessex top division in the 2018-19 season.

Photo: Ally McCracken celebrates his goal against Newport, with Gunner Yates and Connor Thorne

midfielder’s Scott Kinge and Connor Thorne, defenders Danny Field and Gary Thorne and also goalkeeper Sean O’Brien

Although pre-season matches are viewed as an opportunity to get minutes under the players belts, the Street were worryingly not performing to the best of their ability with some Jekyll and Hyde performances, when playing against the likes of Salisbury, Eastleigh Development Squad and Basingstoke Town.

The Street would start the new season with one the longer journeys with a trip over to the Isle of Wight and would be up against tough opposition in Newport IOW, who were still ground sharing at Beatrice Avenue, following the sale of their St George’s Park.

The Street management team must have been pulling their hair out when trying to make their squad selection for the game, as a number of players reported unavailable including striker Denham.

Then the preparations went from bad to worse with a misreading of the departure time of the ferry. The squad arrived too late and were forced to board the later ferry, which would mean little time to get ready and warm-up for the game.

Whether or not this was a factor, we will never know, but John Smith would later say it was all part of the plan as the Street produced a brilliant performance in an enthralling opening game.

The enforced changes saw the Street give five debuts to the side, with one of those, Ally McCracken starting brightly, and he was rewarded, when he followed up a Shane Lock effort that was spilled by Gary Streeter, to fire home on 12 minutes.

Keeper Sean O’Brien produced a number of crucial saves to preserve his clean sheet, including an incredible point blank save to deny Jordan Browne, just after half-time, when the Port striker looked certain to have an easy tap in and bring the Port level

Then the influential Alex Dockree was red carded for a late tackle and was followed by Newport’s Jacob Reynolds, who retaliated for the challenge.

Another debutant, Charlie Rogers was introduced in the first half for the injured Kieron Le Brun, had a fine game at left back and Scott Kinge showed his experience in the middle of the park with a battling display that ensured that Street maintained possession.

With both sides down to ten men, the Street took advantage of the space available in wide areas. Gunner Yates and Connor Thorne were taking their markers on at every opportunity and Shane Lock was always a threat with his usual high energy, used to keep the pressure on the Port defence.

And it was Lock that capped an excellent performance with a close-range finish on the hour mark to seal the three points.

Unfortunately for Street, this would be their best performance of the short season. A 1-0 home defeat to Petersfield Town would precede cup defeats to Bashley and New Milton Town in the FA Vase on penalties. Totton & Eling were dispatched thanks to a better 2nd half display before a 5-2 defeat at Andover Town and draws with Hythe & Dibden and Downton. Saw the Street struggling in mid-table.

Defeat to leaders Laverstock & Ford in early December summed up the Street season, so it came as a relief that a second lockdown would mean an early end to the campaign.

MATCH ACTION

“It’s

0 FLEETLANDS

4 ANDOVER NEW STREET

Powder Monkey Park – Tue 4th April 2023

Fleetlands: Carroll, Farrier, Simm (Thompson 86’), Stone (Gregory 71’), Shaw, Winter, Martin (Easton 81’), Brownlie, Mason (Wrapson 61’), Archer, Sterne

Andover New Street: Rodwell, Perrett, Morris, Dallimore, Scott (C), Thatcher, Lock, Lawton, Cook, Tulk (Dockree 63’), Davis

Scorers: ANS - Cook (73’), Dallimore (80’)

a really big win. I thought the lads were brilliant and you have to be if you are going to win here at Fleetlands. It’s a really difficult place to come. I thought first half we were the better team. We really quietened them down.”

JAMIE COLEMAN

MATCH ACTION

“I’m still lost for words after witnessing that this afternoon. This squad is something special – that win was special. It will live long in my mind. Our feet are still firmly on the ground. We are fully focused on the next game.”

JAMIE COLEMAN

5 ANDOVER NEW STREET 4 ANDOVER TOWN

Foxcotte Park – Sat 8th April 2023

Andover New Street: Rodwell, Hibberd, Perrett, Dallimore, Scott (C), Dockree (Tulk 46’), Lock, Thatcher (Hassell 90+3’), Cook, Lawton, Davis

Andover Town: McCarthy, Watson, Taylor-Kelly, Quashie, Trapnell (C), Hughes (Johnson 33’), Hine, Williams (Cunningham-Turner 85’), Bertie, Griffiths, Emans

Scorers:

ANS - Lock (59), Cook (64’, 66’, 89’, 90+2’)

AT - Bertie (13’), Emans (23’), Johnson (35’, 57’)

MATCH ACTION EXTRA

Ross Cook scores from the penalty spot, to make the score 3-4 to Town, in a bizarre 7-minute spell that saw the Street score three times after going 0-4 down to Town last Saturday.

Action from the entertaining 5-4 encounter with Andover Town. Harry Lawton attacks the Town defence.

RACE TO PROMOTION

ANDOVER NEW STREET - v - NEWPORT IOW

15/04/2021 | FOXCOTTE PARK

We take a look at the teams fighting it out for automatic promotion and also the Play-Offs, and examine their remaining matches…

1ST – ANDOVER NEW STREET - 87PTS

Today – Newport IOW (H)

22/04/2023 – East Cowes V (H)

25/04/2023 – Totton & Eling (A)

2ND – NEWPORT IOW - 80PTS

Today – Andover New St (A)

18/04/2023 – Whitchurch Utd (H)

22/04/2023 – Fleetlands (A)

4TH – HAMWORTHY REC - 78PTS

Today – East Cowes V (H)

22/04/2023 – Petersfield (H)

5TH – PETERSFIELD TOWN - 72PTS

Today – Fawley AFC (A)

19/04/2023 – Totton & Eling (A)

22/04/2023 – Hamworthy R (A)

3RD –NEW MILTON TOWN - 78PTS

Today – Fleetlands (A)

22/04/2023 – Ash Utd (H)

6TH – DOWNTON - 69PTS

Today – Fleet Spurs (H)

THE CAMERA NEVER LIES

Action from a previous meeting between the two sides back in September 2020, in which the Street won 2-0. Celebrating are goal scorer Shane Lock, Jake Curtis and scorer of Street’s first goal Ally McCracken.

THE SEASON [IN REVIEW

KEVIN PIPKIN LOOKS BACK ON THE 2022-23 CAMPAIGN SUMMER

Quality over quantity this campaign was going to be the way for manager Jamie Coleman, and the recruitment of Eddie Perrett, Scott Hassell, George Baxter were naturally met with a nod

of approval from all, as well as tying down Ross Cook proved to be a tremendous bit of business after it looked like he was leaving to Tadley Calleva. George Hallahan also joined the squad as did Daryll Phillips and the Moore brothers, Josh & Arran to bolster the attacking options.

AUGUST

Win, draw,win. Welcome back to League One, Street. We were too good for new boys Fleetlands, with Dockers firing in goal of the season on the opening day. Fawley, as they proved so many times in the past to be our bogey-side, when they snatched a point with a last kick of the game penalty. Sandwiched in there was a 2-0 victory at Warminster Town in the FA Cup. Cooky coming off the bench to score twice. And victories over Hamble Club and Fleet Spurs in the Hants Senior and Wessex League Cup. A disappointing exit at Westbury United in the FA Cup were the score-line flattered the hosts.

Harry Lawton started the season well in August.

It was a case of DeJa’Vu when New Milton earned a point at the Foxcotte, again the visitors scored late on to snatch a point and we started to wonder if these dropped points would cost us promotion again!

Ash United were beaten with a narrow 21 win thanks to two goals from Josh Moore, while the Street welcomed George Plank to the squad.

Cup successes came with a penalty shootout victory over Gosport Borough in the Hants Senior Cup, a 3-2 victory over Fawley in the FA Vase and a cracking local derby in the North Hants Senior with Street beating Town 6-4 at the Portway.

OCTOBER

COOKY!!!! Was a regular twitter message on match-day as the Street striker notched another brace against Romsey Town in a 5-2 away win. It was the same scoreline when Amesbury came to the Foxcotte, Cook hitting a hat-trick! Verwood Town, Ringwood Town and Totton & Eling were all beaten, before a second-string side lost 2-0 to Petersfield Town in the Russell Cotes Cup. The Vase journey continued with an impressive 5-1 demolition of Street in the battle of the Street’s. More impressive as it was against a Step 5 side, on their patch and we came from a goal down. The second half was great to watch. Goosebumps. A trip to Hamworthy Rec ended the month, what a class side Hamworthy Rec are, we were very fortunate to get the three points that afternoon. Another hat-trick for Cook and Shane Lock also scoring as the Street started to find their grove.

NOVEMBER

Momentum was building, but you might not have known it as we earned a solid point at home to Folland Sports. Gavin James scoring on his debut! Whitchurch, Millbrook and Fleet Spurs were all dispatched with maximum points before that and also the Vase journey ended at Brixham. A slow start ultimately cost us, but the antics of some of the Brixham players left a sour taste in the mouth on top of the fish and chips on the way home!

The month ended with a 3-0 cup win over Downton at the Nest, Shaun Dallimore making his debut, but then having to substituted off at half-time, while Shane Lock, Harry Lawton and an own goal proved to be the difference between the two sides.

DECEMBER

A Josh Moore brace helped see off Fawley at the Waterside, with Mikey Davis and Shane Lock also finding the net in a 4-2 win. Next came Portsmouth in the Hants Senior Cup and unfortunately it wasn’t the same result as a few years ago, with Pompey winning 5-0 and Mr Pompey giving everyone earache with his bell!

Then after Christmas, Street headed into their final game of 2022 and entertained a crowd of 340 at Andover Town, as Ross Cook bagged another hat-trick as we put our local rivals to the sword!

Where to start? Top of the league? A lot happened in January. Although a lot of it was due to the weather that a large number of games were postponed and started to create a backlog of matches not just for the Street.

In the league a MASSIVE THREE POINTS were secured at New Milton, who built the game up as the top scorer’s vs the meanest defence. The meanest defence ended up on top, with Scotty Hassell scoring a great header from a Mikey Davis corner and the Street defence kept the league top scorers fairly quiet, especially in the second half. While they struggled to contain Ross Cook at the other end. It would be Cooky that sealed the win late on in the

JANUARY

85th minute when he found space to drill home.

Ringwood proved to be a thorn in the Street side when the pair met at Foxcotte Park, the unbeaten league run looked to be ending, until Josh Moore dramatically equalised in the 85th minute to earn a point.

A trip to Fareham in the League Cup quarterfinal rounded off January. This was the second trip to Fareham after the original tie was abandoned due to floodlight failure at half-time. We wished someone killed the lights again before the final whistle as the Town ran out 3-1 winners, with the Street giving a good account of themselves despite the result.

ANDOVER NEW STREET - v - NEWPORT IOW 15/04/2021 | FOXCOTTE PARK

FEBRUARY

A massive month of games started with home victories over Romsey Town and Downton. A 0-0 draw at an improving East Cowes felt like a loss, but at least the unbeaten run continued. Oh no it didn’t as Petersfield pinched the three points when they came to the Foxcotte. A second string lost out to Alresford Town in the North Hants Senior Cup. Hamworthy Rec again proved to be hard opposition but were defeated 3-2 with new signings Layton Tulk and Harry Beckley both on target. Whitchurch and Fleet Spurs were comfortably beaten, but today’s opposition inflicted a 4-0 defeat at the Smallbrook Stadium.

MARCH

March had been our bogey month for a number of seasons, but it wasn’t to be this time around. Still the games came thick and fast. A tight 1-0 win over Downton thanks to Alex Dockree’s flicked goal at the Nest preceded comprehensive wins over Millbrook, Folland Sports and Amesbury Town. The biggest test of the month came at Love Lane, where Street came back from a goal down, with Cooky poking home the ball to equalise. It should have been all three points but the Petersfield defender managed to somehow clear Cooky’s effort off the line in the second period. Ash away rounded off the month and despite a lacklustre opening half, Street were too strong and went on to win 3-0. Another brace for Cook.

APRIL

The backlog of games continued and our re-arranged game with Fleetlands from December was finally played. Again, another test as Fleetlands were unbeaten at home for the past eleven matches. And it proved to be another. tight game and our hearts were in our mouths when. Fleetlands scored with 20 minutes to go, thankfully the linesman had already raised his flag and then Cooky raised the roof when he turned this way and hat inside the box, sat the defender on his backside and then drilled into the corner! Pandemonium! A few minutes later it was 2-0 when Shaun Dallimore pounced on a loose ball, what were we worried about? Last week’s game was another unforgettable derby with Town 4-0 up after 50 minutes. Then came the come back of all comebacks. Lock, Cook, Cook, Cook and then in injury time Cook again! Despite the desperate calls of offside – he clearly was onside – and now there were three games left and just 3 points needed for the title – but s not over yet!

STREET

WITH BEN RODWELL

A – ATHLETE

If you had to compete, what event would you do?

100m. After last Saturday � � � �

B – BOOTS

Favourite pair of boots? Adidas Predator’s.

C – CAR

Dream car?

Range Rover.

D –

DESTINATION

Dream destination?

Australia.

E – EAT

Favourite food?

Spaghetti Bolognaise.

F – FIVE

What is your all-time

Five-a-side team?

David Seaman, Sergio Ramos, Kevin de Bruyne, Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry.

G – GUESTS

Celebrity you’d like to have a drink with?

Roy Keane.

H

–

HOBBIES

Favourite thing to do other than football?

Golf.

I – IDOL

Who is your sporting idol? Roger Federer.

J – JOB

What is your full-time profession?

Chiropractic Student.

K – KIT

Favourite all-time football shirt?

The old colourful goalkeeper kits.

L – LANGUAGES

How many languages can you speak?

Just one.

M – MOMENT

Favourite moment of your career so far?

Getting promoted to Southern 1 with Bashley last year.

N – NOTABLE

Who is the most important contact in your phone?

My Mum.

O

–

OPPOSITION

Hardest opponent?

Portsmouth.

P

–

PIZZA TOPPINGS

What toppings would You choose?

Pepperoni.

Q – QUOTE

Favourite quote?

I think I can do it; I know I can do it, I’m jolly well going to do it.

R – RESTAURANT

Favourite restaurant?

Toby Carvery.

S

–

STADIUM

Favourite stadium you’ve Played at?

Salisbury.

T – TRAVEL

Best place you’ve been to?

Mallorca.

U –

UNLIMITED

If you could have endless Something, what would it be? Money.

V

–

VICTORY

Most memorable win?

Last Saturday against Andover Town

W – WATCH

Favourite film/series?

Suits.

X

–

X FACTOR

If you had to sing, what song would you choose?

Shine – Take That.

Y

–

YIKES

Biggest fear?

Uni exams.

Z – ZOO

Favourite animal?

Giraffe.

THE WESSEX LEAGUE PREVIEW

The week started on Monday in Division One, Totton & Eling collected the points from their win over Fawley.

Tuesday saw three of our teams in Cup action- two in Quarter Finals and one in a Semi Final. Unfortunately, though our representation in the Hampshire Senior Cup reached the end on the evening with AFC Portchester going down 1-0 at home against Basingstoke Town.

Bemerton Heath Harlequins also slipped out of the Russell-Cotes at the Quarter Final stage, with visitors Lymington Town winning by the odd goal of three. However, winning by the same margin, Newport IOW take their place in the Isle of Wight +Gold Cup final (where they await the winners of the Cowes Sports West Wight contest) with their win over Island League side Shanklin. Almost a full set of Premier Division games three home wins, two away and a six-goal draw between Brockenhurst and Shaftesbury in the New Forest.

In Division One, Andover Town hit seven past East Cowes Vics, Josh Bertie with four of them and Ryan Griffiths with three.

The other 2 games contested ended in wins for both Millbrook and Andover New Street. The Foxcotte Park outfit have a good cushion at the top at just the right time for their title chances. The Dockers win at Fleet Spurs means the north Hampshire team finish bottom of the table.

Wednesday saw two Division One games taking place. The away team winning in both cases, Romsey at Whitchurch with Jack Odam hitting a

hat-trick. A Chris Long penalty enough to separate Hamworthy Recreation from Fawley at the Waterside.

On Thursday in Division One, Andover Town made it 23 goals from their last four outings. Their 4-2 win at Amesbury means the Wiltshire side cannot finish higher than 17th, so the third relegation spot is still to be decided.

Fleetlands claimed a single goal victory over Folland Sports in the other game.

Bank Holiday Friday with just two games. On the island Newport entertained East Cowes Vics in an afternoon contest- 416 through the doors at Smallbrook the best in Division One (so far) this term, and at Magna Road it was some Friday night football as Hamworthy Recreation welcomed Verwood Town, the hosts collected another three points in front of a gate of 155.

Then on Saturday New Street came back from 4-0 down at Foxcotte to claim the points with a 5-4 win!

Wins also for the only other promotion challengers at Amesbury and Whitchurch where Downton and Petersfield were the victors, respectively. Ringwood won at Romsey and Fawley hit one without reply in a contest at Fleetlands.

THE NON-LEAGUE PAPER

WITH MATT BADCOCK – NLP EDITOR

Where did this season go? It doesn’t feel all that long ago the new campaign was kicking off. Suddenly we’re on the final straight and some are already through the finish line.

On Good Friday, National League South Ebbsfleet United joined the Non-League champions’ list following in the footsteps of Worksop Town, Macclesfield and Berkhamsted when it comes to Steps 1-4.

On Easter Monday it was the turn of South Shields, who were on course for the NPL Premier title back in 2020 before covid hit, and NPL Division One Midlands outfit Stamford.

If you’re reading this on Saturday, April 15 there will no doubt be more this afternoon, with the likes of Hashtag United and Ramsgate as well as AFC Totton closing in.

Easter Monday also saw the National League biggie. The showdown between Wrexham and Notts County, that has been marked on the calendar for some time. The pair showed up in north Wales having set the bar at new heights –both on 100 points, both with more than 100 goals and both miles ahead of the rest of the division. But, as we know, only one is guaranteed to go up with just one automatic promotion spot into the EFL. While there is a growing sense that could become two in the near future, and that is surely the way to go, it has brought the drama to this year’s promotion race.

And this game didn’t disappoint. In case you missed it, former England keeper Ben Foster made a stoppage-time penalty save to help Wrexham to a 3-2 win and put them firmly in the driving seat for the title seeing as they also boast a game in hand.

Time for any more twists? We shall soon see but the two sides have produced incredible seasons and it does feel harsh one may not go up. That’s because the play-offs are a lottery. It would be a cliche if it wasn’t so true. Anything can seemingly happen.

From next season they will also be introduced at Step 5. The overwhelming positive reaction to the FA’s announcement shows the people are largely getting what they want. They keep seasons alive for so many teams. And that brings fans through the turnstiles.

And that’s the thing about the playoffs. A team may have finished 20odd points ahead of an opponent, but that doesn’t always mean a whole lot in a one-off game where the stakes are at their highest.

If you’ve ever experienced your team in the play-offs you may well also subscribe to the view they are probably the worst way to lose. A season’s work up in smoke in the blink of an eye.

Worst way to lose, but certainly an exciting way to win.

Here’s to the play-offs when they roll around.

THE NLP PAPER

WESSEX LEAGUE ONE 2022/23

WESSEX LEAGUE ONE SATURDAY FIXTURES:

Amesbury Town v Millbrook

Andover New Street v Newport (IOW)

Ash United v Whitchurch United

Downton v Fleet Spurs

Fawley AFC v Petersfield Town

Fleetlands v New Milton Town

Hamworthy Rec v East Cowes Victoria

Romsey Town v Andover Town

Totton & Eling v Ringwood Town

Verwood Town v Folland Sports

TOP SCORERS:

41 – Cook (Andover New S)

36 – Long (Hamworthy Rec)

28 – Odam (Romsey)

24 – Stone (New Milton)

22 – Kelly (Newport IOW)

22 – Krystofowicz (Downton)

21 – Greenough (Petersfield) 21 – Sampson (New Milton) 20 – Davies (Downton)

20 – Knight (Fawley)

CLEAN SHEETS:

14 – Pitman (Newport IOW)

14 – Rodwell (Andover New S)

13 – Wilson (Petersfield)

11 – Betts (Downton)

11 – Bull (New Milton)

11 – Hare (Totton & Eling)

11 – Mitchell (Hamworthy Rec)

09 – Halliday (Whitchurch U)

09 – Ram (East Cowes V)

07 – Bartram (Romsey)

FORM GUIDE:

* Correct at 14/04/2023 – Last 6 games

Andover New S: WWDWWW

New Milton: WWWLWW

Hamworthy: LWWWWW

Totton & E: WWWLWD

Andover Town: WWWWLL

Downton: LWDWWD

Petersfield: LWWDWD

East Cowes Vics: WDWWLD

Newport (IOW): LLWWDW

Verwood Town: LLWWWL

H Laverstock & Ford

SYDENHAMS WESSEX PREMIER

AFC Stoneham v Hamworthy United

Alresford Town v US Portsmouth

Alton v Christchurch

Bournemouth v Baffins Milton Rovers

Brockenhurst v Cowes Sports

Fareham Town v Bashley

Hamble Club v Shaftesbury

Horndean v Amesbury Town

Hythe & Dibden v Portland Utd

Moneyfields v Blackfield & Langley

SYDENHAMS WESSEX LEAGUE ONE

Andover New Street v Infinity

Ash United v New Milton Town

East Cowes Vic v Andover Town

Laverstock & Ford v Fleet Spurs

Petersfield Town v Newport IOW

Ringwood Town v Downton

Romsey Town v Bemerton Heath H Verwood Town v Whitchurch United

Andover New Street Football Club’s commitment is to promote inclusion and to confront and eliminate discrimination, whether by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief. People can be assured of an environment in which their rights, dignity and individual worth are respected, and in particular that they are able to work and watch football in an environment without the threat of intimidation, victimisation, harassment, bullying and abuse. Should you wish to report a specific incident, please contact your nearest club official or download Kick It Out’s free, confidential reporting app on the App Store or Google Play.

THE LAST WORD

WITH KEVIN PIPKIN PROGRAMME EDITOR

Have you recovered from last Saturday’s game yet?

If you were at the game last weekend then spare a thought for myself, who was too ill to come to watch.

There are not too many matches I have missed over the past few seasons, and I was gutted to miss an Andover derby.

It was equably as hard as there were no Twitter updates covering the match as I searched for any sign of a scoreline from both Street and also Andover Town

Then at 3.45pm the tweet finally arrives and its not good news. Surely

it’s got to be a mistake? But no – confirmation arrives via a text message shortly later 3-0 down! If I had a cat then I would have sent it skywards towards Foxcotte Park!

I’m resigned to the fact that we have thrown away a great chance of securing promotion, so close to the end of the season. Then at 4:53pm I see the tweet that I dared to dream of. Unbelievable stuff – 4-0 down and we turn it around to 54 with the last kick of the game!

At least I got to watch the re-run of the game through the VEO later on in the week, but it still wouldn’t have beaten being there on the day.

Another classic memory between the two sides; let’s make some more memories in the next few days and we hopefully can say goodbye to League One.

Keep the Faith

Streets’ last team

Town’s